High level delegation of APDCL reviews power scenario in Hailakandi district

Nov.12: Chairman, APDCL, VK Pipersenia and senior officials of APDCL, AEGCL and APGCL reviewed the power scenario with the district administration here on Wednesday.

Reviewing the power supply scenario in the district and power related issues at Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here, Chairman, APDCL, Pipersenia said the state government along with the Chief Minister is very concerned about the power issues of South Assam’s Barak Valley. He mentioned that the visit of the high level delegation of three companies of APDCL, AEGCL and APGCL was at the instruction of the Chief Minister.

Pipersenia said that the management of the three companies is very keen to solve the power issues of Barak Valley. The Chairman said, “APDCL’s main concern is to provide 24×7 uninterrupted, good quality power supply. But after the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme, the load on our network has increased manifold resulting in huge burden on our infrastructure.”

The Chairman thanked the Deputy Commissioner along with officials of APDCL from Hailakandi district for according a warm welcome to the delegation. Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, Megh Nidhi Dahal welcomed the delegation of the three companies APDCL, AEGCL and APGCL led by Chairman Pipersenia and thanked the entire team for their visit to the district to address the issues related to power supply.

MLA of Algapur, Nizam Uddin Choudhury thanked the Chairman and the entire delegation for their visit and underscored the need of a 33/11 KV substation at Janeki Bazar to solve some of the issues related to power in that area. He also mentioned that the conductors at multiple locations have outlived their utility and they need to be replaced to prevent accidents.

The Chairman directed the SDE, Hailakandi Electrical Sub-Division, APDCL about the number and location of feeders where the problem was acute. The SDE, Hailakandi ESD, mentioned that the problem was more acute in Feeder No 2 of Algapur sub station and that the feeder was more than 100 kms long. Pipersenia suggested that feeders be shortened to address the problem and asked all concerned officers to initiate steps for shortening of feeders.

MLA, Choudhury further said that there are many transformers with LT line of 2-3 kms resulting in low voltage and there is a need of around 25 new DTRs in his constituency to solve the problem of low voltage. He also expressed concern about the increasing number of new DTRs which are getting damaged. The Chairman stated that APDCL’s commitment is not just to provide uninterrupted power but also quality power, and urged all concerned officers to address the issue of low voltage quickly. On being asked by the Chairman about the damaged transformers, AGM-REM, Hailakandi, Asish Sinha said that the transformers are being replaced gradually in a phase wise manner.

MLA of Hailakandi, Anwar Hussain Laskar stressed on replacing old conductors. He also talked about low voltage issues at multiple places and expressed concerned on the increasing number of DTRs getting damaged. The Chairman asked the concerned officers to look into the issues and find solutions as soon as possible.

MLA of Katlicherra, Suzam Uddin Laskar proposed the construction of two new 33KV feeders for Lala Electrical Sub-division as currently Lala ESD is not connected to any Grid Sub-Station and receives power via Hailakandi ESD and RK Nagar ESD. The proposed 33KV feeders are from Serispur GSS to Lala DSS and from Durllavcherra GSS to Latakandi DSS via Garodpunji. He also proposed constructing a new 33/11KV DSS at Gharmura. The Chairman said that if suitable land can be identified then the proposal for construction of the Sub-Station will get approved. The MLA mentioned that some habitations are yet to be electrified and more DTRs required for better voltage.

Pipersenia requested Dahal to keep electricity as a priority topic in DDC meetings as ‘no work of any other department is possible without electricity’. He asked the DC to invite all officers of APDCL from CEO, Badarpur Circle downwards to the Sub-Divisional Engineers along with officers of AEGCL of Hailakandi district. Pipersenia also requested Dahal to appoint an Additional Deputy Commissioner to look into the complaints related to electricity as ‘there is need of external monitoring to arrive at solutions of various problems effectively and efficiently’.

Both the Chairman and Managing Director, APDCL, Rakesh Agarwala stressed about the importance of providing uninterrupted and quality power to not just Hailakandi town but also the last point of the district. They assured the field officers of all possible support from the management of the three companies in trying to achieve that.

BJP District President, Swapan Bhattacharjee, requested the Chairman to increase the number of sub-divisions as currently there are only two sub-divisions covering the entire district. The Chairman replied that APDCL is committed to not just providing quality power but also affordable power while mentioning that Assam’s power cost is already high compared to national average due to less power generation within the state. He expressed his inability at the moment to take up additional financial burden. He instead requested the field officers to work harder to efficiently and effectively address the issues.

The Chairman appreciated the hard work done by all officers and staff of APDCL. He said that despite many constraints the officers and staff of APDCL have been trying their best to provide uninterrupted power supply to all valued consumers of APDCL.

The Chairman asked for detailed proposals regarding construction of 33KV feeder from 132/33KV Serispur GSS to 33/11KV Lala DSS under Lala ESD; 33KV feeder from 132/33KV Durlavcherra GSS to 33/11KV Latakandi DSS via Garodpunji under Lala ESD; 11KV VIP feeder from 33/11KV Hailakandi DSS under Hailakandi ESD; bifurcation of 11KV feeder numbers 5 and 6 of 33/11KV Hailakandi DSS under Hailakandi ESD and bifurcation of 11KV KTC1 feeder under Lala ESD for solving some of the major issues related to power supply in the district.